Village Innovation & Incubation Lab
The Village Innovation and Incubation Lab (ViiL) is designed to provide marginalized children in Puducherry, India with programming that incorporates both emerging technology and human rights. This includes those from the indigenous communities and surrounding tribes. This project provides a safe, inclusive, and participative space for young people and their allies to realize their full potential through innovative leadership models in alignment with TYCL International’s mission.
The building is designed to integrate the local vernacular architecture by utilizing a single-story design that creates a ‘milieu’ or ‘ensemble’ around a central shared space like the local Tamil houses. This central sunken courtyard where performances, presentations, and the Village Innovation Festivals will occur also highlights the community learning aspect of the ViiL program. Surrounding the central shared space are technology rooms that are equipped with state-of-the-art modern technology for experimental learning, a multi-purpose meeting hall with a kitchen, staff offices, and support spaces. Buildings in Puducherry are known for the vibrant exteriors of yellow, peach, and white colors, which swathe the entire landscape. Blue and indigo meanwhile are used brilliantly, be it on signage or indoors to create zones of contrasts and attention. The ViiL also utilizes these colors in its design to provide a bright and engaging learning environment.
The space is designed to provide 100 children (50 boys and 50 girls) access to a variety of learning environments. As such, all rooms are designed with overhead doors that can provide for extra outdoor space for students and equipment and movable partitions to provide flexibility indoors as well. A roof that extends over much of the outdoor space provides relief in the wet season and shade throughout the year. The structure is naturally ventilated with cross ventilation provided through windows and the overhead doors. The building is carefully set within the natural landscape increasing occupant comfort, heightening productivity, reducing stress, and enhancing creativity. In addition to ViiL being a center of learning, it is also a friendship generator and sustainer, with a profound impact on children’s social lives. The building and playground to the rear are designed to encourage informal interaction and stimulate social bonds and contribute to the students’ overall well-being. By focusing on the “whole child” like this we can help eliminate achievement gaps and ensure all children thrive.
The ViiL’s construction is environmentally friendly using local construction techniques and locally sourced materials. Permeable paving used in the exterior spaces will assist with stormwater infiltration during the rainy season while rainwater cisterns can provide onsite reuse of the water from the raised roof. Additionally, solar panels located onsite will provide onsite power for the school’s operations. By using techniques that link the building to the environment we aim to create the best possible atmosphere for learning and experimenting.
